ANISHNAWBE
STREET PATROL

Anishnawbe Health Toronto is a culture-based Native healing centre committed to the full recovery of Anishnawbe people through traditional ways. This healing takes place from the spiritual realm, through Traditional Healers, Elders and Teachers, through ceremonies, Plants and other gifts of Creation.

Anishnawbe Street Patrol
225 Queen Street East
Toronto, Ontario M5A 1S4
Canada
Tel (416) 360-0486

In 1989, when four homeless Native men died on the streets of Toronto, members of the native Community focused their attention on the long existing problems of homelessness and the high percentage of Native people on the streets. In response, the Street Patrol program was started.

Street Patrol is a mobile service which searches out the homeless providing them with food, beverages, clothing, sleeping bags, blankets, needle exchange, condoms and medical care including first-aid, flu and hepatitis shots and TB testing. It advocates on behalf of the homeless assisting them in accessing shelters, detoxes and hospitals. Street Patrol operates year-round providing its services five days a week from 5:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

Street Patrol has grown in the ten years since it began and now, during winter months, runs seven days a week and includes the Roving Patrol and Alert Patrols.

Roving Patrol was implemented two years ago in response to the alarming increase in the number of deaths among the homeless population, particularly during winter months. Operating between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., this Patrol works in partnership with Street Helpline, who dispatches Roving Patrol when they have been alerted of a crisis on the streets. Services provided include transportation to shelter and hospitals and the provision of sleeping bags, footwear and clothing.

Alert Patrol comes into effect when the temperature drops to -15° and the Department of Health declares a "Cold Weather Alert". When this happens Outreach Services dispatches the Alert Patrol. This patrol travels by bicycle so they can get to people who live in places not accessible by vehicle. It is in constant communication with Roving Patrol, who will provide these people with transportation to shelter.

Number of People Provided Service Through the Patrols During 1998-99

Street Patrol - 33,076

Roving Patrol (Transportation) - 1,668

Alert Patrol - 974

Financial contributions to Street Patrol are welcome and enable us to respond where the need is greatest at any given time.

This page last updated November 2, 1999